Ah, the golden liquid that honeybees make to share with us! Not only is it delicious, honey actually has amazing benefits for our health. It is rich in antioxidants and also has small amounts of nutrients. This makes it a great substitute for sugar in or on just about anything. It has a lower glycemic index than sugar, meaning that while it is still digested as a carbohydrate, it does not digest as quickly or spike our blood sugar/insulin response as fast. (Diabetics can choose honey as a better option than sugar, but intake should still be in moderation.)
Raw honey contains flavonoids and phenolic acids within the antioxidant profile. These are all properties that are beneficial to our health. Honey also increases blood compounds that may reduce inflammation. Some studies have shown that honey may help lower blood pressure and improve blood fat levels.
With a strong antibacterial profile, along with its other antioxidant compounds, honey is a natural cough suppressant and throat soother. Honey has been used throughout history as a burn and wound care treatment, and continues to be used today. Using honey is a good immediate treatment, but severe wounds or burns should still have medical attention.
Adding honey to our diet is easy. We can use a small amount in our coffee or tea in the morning. Drizzle it into plain yogurt to give a little sweetness without going with the sugary yogurt varieties. Exchange sugar in baked goods for honey, and try cutting the amount in half as honey is very sweet.
A couple of things we should remember:
- Local, raw honey is best, as it is created from the plant profile in our area, which may be more beneficial to us.
- It is generally recommended that children under 1 year of age do not consume honey.
- Use a wooden or glass spoon or honey dripper as metal will kill the beneficial enzymes on contact.
How sweet (and healthy) it is!
